Molding machine and process



Feb. 5, 1952 Filed Oct. 26, 1946 L. L. JONES MOLDING MACHINE AND PROCESS 4 Sheets-Sheet l YV i ATTORNEYS Feb. 5, 1952 l.. ,IJONES 2,584,712

MOLDING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Oct. 26, 1946l l4 Sheas-Sheet 2 FHS. 4E

INVENTOR. Lester L. Jones A TORNEYS Feb. 5, 1952V L, L JONES 2,584,712

MOLDING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed oct. 2e, 194e 4 sheets-sheet 3 F158 .ci 53 2O 5o loo 12,4

IOC:

I- IEQ 7o, Hl||| lill 82 IN V EN TOR.

8+ *BY Laster L. Jonas ATORNEYS Feb. 5, 1952 JONES 2,584,712

MOLDING MACHINE AND PROCESS 1 Filed oct. 26, 194@y `A., sheets-sheet '4 FIELI@ FIL-112 |57 INVENTOR.

BY l l 6 ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 5, 1952 UNIT-ED STATES LesterL. J ones,0radell, N.#J.,--assig-nor-tofConmar *Products Corporation, Newark, N. J., afcorporation-,of NewJersey Application Octohe1'126, 1946,Sei'ial'No.v 703,541

`'23"Claims. 1

This vinvention relates to molding -^machines, and `1,110,119 particularly to Y'a machine vxfor --ann tematicallymoldingachain orf-Stringer of very smalLunitsLand especially formoldnggsuch-units iout oif la thermosetting:material *Thelrprimaryl object Vof the `present linvention is to generallviinprove'apparatus for makingl a ..chain .of ysmall units, and more specifically jfor making slide fastener strngers'with'plastic elementswor' .scoops:

Slide/fasteners made out of ordinary thermo,- plastics I have vheen found relatively Aunsatisfac- V`tory :to .withstand the Vheat Vof llaundering and pressing VIt is Aknown that thermosetting -plas ticswould be the ,best plastics'for thispurpose, 'but-injection molding Aapparai'nis is i not satisfactorypfor use with thermosetting -materials loe- ,cause the `material cannot be `re-softened. 4in the sprue. ,Furthermore, -even with vtherin@plastic ,rnateralQinj ection molding has the disadvantage vof leavingthe molded element marred atthe :point yWhere Atheisprue `joins Vthe element. VCne object of the jpresentfinvention 'is to provide ,molding apparatus which lis satisfactory jorfuse :withfinfusibly thermosetting material (although fthe apparatus is also xusealileg-vvith^,thernmmlastics and even with metals).

'The apparatus 'is specically applied 3to the manufacture of slide fasteners. 'Theffjastener ,comprises stringers, thatis,cloth'tapes-with a .series of fastener 'elementssecured 'along one edge of the tape. `The Vpresent "apparatusac- ,'cor'dingly includes a imold the separable;'halves .of which may be'clamped on oppositesidesfo'f "a tape, Withoneedge of the tape Idisposed inf-the meld ,cavity Whichgforms the fastener element.

"It is evident that each charge ofy molding--material "for `a single fastener4 element is relatively minute'yet must'jbe accuratelymeasured-'lifthe element 'is -to lie-solid fand of*properdimension.

"tionalscoop type, there 'isisome -diilicultyimform- (OEIS-30) 2 ing the recesscorwpoeket ofthe scoop. "The jdie 'preferably *opensin -a direction transverse to :the plane-of f the -`tape, -so that the tape may `)ce Jclamped between the -halves-of the die. YrEhe 5 Apocket,` however, extends in the -direction-` of 4the tape. It-is -accordinglya ,---furtherv object of the present invention 1 to Iprovide imeans for forming a pocket 1in `veach-fastener element, and this is :tienebyusingfthe-ftranserplunger-as a part ci fthe dief-antimere specifically; asla core'forf'formving the-pocket.

GJ'I'ht-z-rodlets-arefseverecl, Vpreferaloly'-aftergsome epreheating =at 'ltheend 4vof A'the rodpand are then moved l1to a 'transfer station Where the plunger 151=transfersra rodlet through a nozzle to the die, `said -nozzle vpreferably heating -v-the Amaterial enough to -react-1t`ne -fsame `when it reaches the die. Both the severing operation and the-move- .ament offthe-severed-frodlet=to thetrans-erfplunger may be accomplished @by fan intermittently -ror.taitalole 1:- dial having a f circlev `ofV chambersV which pass lthe @feed channel for @the rod of material :eatfonepointiand:which comelbetween the ltransfer plunger and the nozzle at another poi-nt.

Furtherobjects Aofsithepresentrinvention fare to ensure a tight dity between the dial :and .fthe anozzlepandf betweenfI-the nozzle .and the-"die, dur- .fingflthe lftransfer` operation, and :togensure f comeplete separation -ofithemozzleflfrom lthefnlie -after maeach :molding operation. Vi-lS/sitllthis -iob'ject .in vvwiew, :fthe apparatus v,includes kmeansaffording "fbodily movementof tl-ieldial, transferfplunger, and nozzle relativeto-the-rdie, :anchat I the beginning of :each-molding operation the'dialJiscammed :i5 ltoward -thedieftherebyclamping the-dial 4against i.'thefnozzle and-fthe:nozzleI againsttheedie.

To accomplish Lthe foregoing: objectsfand other more specific objects :which .fwill hereinafter'-4 apvpearpsfmy i-nvention resides vin the molding man 40 @chine elements,v and. .processstepsfand their relaf-tion one to theviother, :as @are .i-hereinafteinmore fparticula-rlyt describediinfithe; following.- specificaftion. V:The specicationis aceompaniedebyfdraxvings, inflwhich:

vlllig.-'f1liisffafpartially:sectioned elevation v.of Lapparatus embodyingvlfeatures of my invention;

'Flig. l2-ls=a partially :sectioned plan view ltaken approximately-in the v--plan'e of `fthe 'line "2.-2 of eilig-121;

-fFigrSiisiavertical'section throughafpartofthe apparatus, and is taken approximately in the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. "1;

Fig. 4 is a partially sectioned elevation taken approximately in the plane of the line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal View showing the dial with its pawl and ratchet mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a similar view, with a part of the dial cut away to show the pilot mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken approximately in the plane of the line 1-1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section similar to the dial portionof Fig. 1, but drawn to enlarged scale;

Fig. 9 is a similar view, but` showing the relation of the parts after the plunger has been released;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section similar to the nozzle portion of Fig. 1, but drawn to enlarged scale;

Fig. 11 is a plan view at the die;

Fig. 12 shows a fragmentary length of rod or wire made out of unreacted thermosetting material; and

Fig. 13is a diagram showing in schematic form one timing arrangement for timing the operation of the parts of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, and more particu- .larly to Fig. 12, I have found that a thermosetting material may be formed into a long rod or wire, a fragment of which is indicated at I4 in Fig. 12. The material may be one of the phenolic resins, the furane resins, the melamine resins, or the urea resins. The material is extruded under pressure, and under a temperature accurately vcontrolled to closely limit the reaction of the material as it is formed into a rod. There is a slight preliminary reaction, which on the one hand is great enough to convert the molding powder into a rod which may be handled conveniently, and yet which on the other hand isslight enough so that on further heating the material may be softened and the reaction continued.

The present apparatus contemplates the use of molding material in rod form because of the conl-venience with which it may be handled and may be severed into measured lengths each corresponding to one of the fastener elements to be molded.

Referring to Fig. 3, a rod I4 of the moldingv lmaterial is fed through a channel I6 to a chamber I8 in an intermittently rotatable dial 2D. The

rod I4 is urged upwardly as far as it will go, as, for example, by the use of continuously rotating frictional feed wheels 22 shown in Fig. 13, and when the dial 20 (Fig. 3) rotates, it severs a measured length or rodlet from the upper end of the rod, this length being determined by the thickness of the dial 20. The dial moves the resulting rodlet to a transfer station where the chamber is aligned witha nozzle 24. In Fig. l.

:it will be seen that nozzle 24 leads upwardly to .a mold 26, the separable halves of which are ed, as for example, by means of radio-frequency g heating provided in the present case by a radiofrequency coil 32 surrounding the nozzle. If desired, the material may be preheated before the severing operation, and for this purpose heating feed channel I6 for the rod I4.

,fpassagesd (see Fig. 3) 'are provided adjacent the I Referring now to Fig. 10 of the drawing, it will be seen that the upper end of plunger 30 acts as a part of the mold 26, and that in its uppermost position it not only denes a part of the bottom of the fastener element, but more specically, includes a core 36 which forms a pocket in the bottom of the fastener element. The fastener element is molded in cavity 21, and the head of the tape is received in a groove 29.

Considering the apparatus in greater detail. the dial 2G (Fig. 5) is intermittently rotated in the present case by a pawl 38, carried by a slide 40, pushed by an hydraulic plunger 42. Referring now to Fig. 2, it will be seen that plunger 42 reciprocates in a cylinder 44 having an inlet connection at 46. The opposite end of slide 40 bears against a return spring 48. The length of stroke may be accurately adjusted by means of a screw and lock nut at 5I),A controlling a stop rod 5I.

As here exemplified, the pawl does not act directly on the dial 20. It cooperates with a ratchet wheel 52 which is located below the dial, as is .best shown in Figs. 1, 8 and 9. They are connected by suitable means, in this case three vertical dowels 53 (Figs. 5, 8, and 9). The ratchet wheel 52 rotates about a stationary hub 54. In Fig. 3, the hub 54 is shown with the ratchet wheel removed. The hub is a part of a larger casting 56 which in turn is bolted to a wall'58, best shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The guide passage for the slide 40 carrying pawl 38, is formed in the casting 56, with guide 51 added. Y

In the present example'of the invention the vertical transfer plunger 30 is controlled by a pair of opposed pistons 60 and '62 (Fig. lIl). Piston 5I] is larger in diameter than piston 6.2. The latter slides in a cylinder 64 which is connected at 66 to a tank or source of hydraulic power. Piston 62 acts as a hydraulic spring which is continuously urged downwardly and which functions to restore the plunger 30 to its initial or downward position. The piston 6i) moves in a cylinder 68 which is connected at 10, through appropriate valve mechanism, to the tank. When pressure fluid is admitted, the -piston 6i) tends to force the transfer plunger 30 upwardly despite the opposition of piston 62. The cylinders 64 and 68 are separated by a partition 12. The pistons are connected together for simultaneous movement by means of a pair of tie rods 14, these being connected to piston 6I) through cross-head 1E, and to piston E2 through cross-head 18.

In the specific apparatus here shown, pressure fluid is admitted to cylinder. 68 ahead of time, and thel instant of upward movement of the plunger is determined by release of a restraining latch. Referring to Fig. 8, latch BI! engages the upper cross-head 16 and so prevents the piston 60 from raising plunger 3). .Latch 8B is carried on .an arm 82 pivoted at 84 and having at its upper end a boss 86 disposed in the path of a slide 88. Referring now to Fig. 9, it will be seen that slide 88 has been moved to the right, thereby turning the arm 82 and moving the latch 80 awayfrom 'cross-head 15. This permits plunger V3Ilto be forced upwardly through dial 20, as shown.

Reverting now to Fig. 1, slide B8 is connected at its outer end to a cross-head 90. This Ais moved outwardly by a piston 92 slidable in .ya cylinder 94. A pipe for hydraulic power'maybe connected to the closed end of the cylinder at an inlet 95. Thus the piston moves Vthe cross-head outwardly, or toward Ithe left, as Viewed .in Figs. 1 and 2. It is urged inwardly, or to the -whichf1gurelalso shows -the pilot -llentering one of the slots. Comparing Figs. 8 ancl .19,.it `willi-be -seen .that-.in Fig. ,8., when.thefslidelds'1in-vre- ..tracted.,position,..the;.pilot..| ll|Lis also.in..retra.cted .-position,. arid-is.- clearofthe, pilot slots `..|`|I2, where- `asin 9., when .the .slide-.BBLhas .moved .to fthe ,righe '.thepnot' has .also moved to .the right, .and Y thas entered .one .of .the ...pilot .slots |.0`2. ."Eigs. 'T5 [and lshowY how.theouter ends .df the.,pilt..lots F.| (i2 ...are preferably tapered .or '..divergetin .order tto :morereadilyreceive'.thapilot I`0`0.

In the specific form df the invention here shown, the .third .function which reslts from 4.movement f vcross-head SU 'is taken "care'f by means o'f .a weigelike cam"`s'urface |04 formed ,at Vt'he bottom of slide 88, Avas 'is Jbest Shown lin .'.Figs andf9. "'Thiscam surface ri'desnn-bearing material fll' Tormeid .on Va `stationary 4arm *m8 whihorms a'part 'fthe' main stationaryiframe 'df'.tliemachine. "In"Figs. land .4; it Willbe seen that .the .arm |1181 projects "from "the -stationary side plate"I1|||6f-themachine andthatitpasses ithrofigh .an enlarged opening '"orwindow' ||^2 l-in lthe. ,platefl previouslyreferred dto. lfPlate Eil is "pivo'tally lmounted "at |4 t'on "stationary fframe H0, as is best shown in Figs. 1, 2ian"d*4. VThe "di';1,"noz'zle "and the vvariousl lhydrai-llic yfcylix'iders Pso'ffa'r described; 'are `allmountedion-r the-fplateES, and 'areithereby adapted-for-a small/ movementin *a generallyivertical Jdirection; 'that is, toward-for 1awayflromthefdief-26. -When'- the slide 88 'moves ito'tthe rightfas shown in Fig.'f1,the :wedge for "ca-m v`"|114 `reaets against the istationary 'fbnacket 2Ili to fforce fthe mechanism upwardly. This f-clam'psthe @upper fend -fo'f the 'snozzle 22 4 against' i'thesdie, lland-'iat thersamertimeffclamps thellower fend of Y"the nozzle 'against the 1 dial, the snozzle `being --sli'ghtly yieldable in fa `vertical :direction Ybecause-of-tlfreffrspringy"nature of .avthin sheet 'metalfhods'ing 'Ilf which '.'carriesithe upper tend idf 'the-nozzle. -FigiS rshowsufto :exaggerated :ex-

:The v:severed 4,.rodlet :of .material ris .,further.l

...heated .during itspassage throughthe nozzle 24. Ilhis flmaygbe .done .inria .numberof ways, .but l.for :rapidity and for ...uniform heating ...throughout `.the zrodlet, .1.,prefer ,to :.employ radio-.frequency Vheating ..F or .,this ...purpose .a radio lireguency lcoil 32 .surrounds 'f .the ...nozzle v,previollly ,fidetscribed, .,-tt..hein ggprotectiizelyhoused .by 1 .thefshell The A-radioffrequeneyqoscillator .circutzand- .associ- .sated-apparatus .may begaf conventional characpose. Thereisalsoa layer .of heatinsulatingma- .terial .between .the .diatassembly .and .the .subiaf .cent casting, .this being bestzshown. at.. 24,in.Figs. J.8..and.9. K

.The .dial 20. rotates .between .stationary @plates .located .directly .above and beneath. thedial. .The

.stationary .top -plate lt .is .generally .square .in

outline, as is best-.shown .in.Fig.fl2. Directlybeneath plate |26 is anotherplate |28 .(Figs.1..and 4), which isalso square..in..outline,.but whichv is .cut awayatthe. center'. to .surroundthe .'dial. .'.Be-

neath the dial 2o andatove .thelhubgsais .acircular `'stationary plate 3.0 (Figs. 1,.v 3, I8 .and .9.),. This ',is-.screwedto the'lhub `-51| .and .acts as an .extension of ..the.hub, .but ,is made separately Vforca ynumberof reasons. Oneisthat itmaybemadef hardened steel and accuratelynished.onits top surface .for ,close engagement wththe 'dial-21). .Another is ,that heatinsulatngmaterial 24 may be disposed between the Yplate l'l), and fthe/hub 54 .leading through casting. 56 .to 'the .rest of .the machine. Still .another is .thatV a convenient 'way .to changey thelength Aof .the .rodletuis .to .employ ,a dial .of :appropriately changed thickness. 'The .difference .in the dial. thickness maybe compensated byan opposite diierence inthe thickness ofthe bottom ,plate |3.

yIn Figs. 1, 2, .3 and .4, it will'be Yobserved'that'..a

.rslot.|..32 iscutthroughtheplates [26.,and |`28,.an'd

.through apart of the .casing 56. "This slot is`for passage ofthetape 28 previously referred "to, and

.theslot is accordingly disposed .atanlangle corresponding tothe angle of the'tape.

.Referring .nowltoFigs 10..an'd v11, ,the'separable die portions '26 form a part of 'larger diel blocks |40, .whichin .tornare bolted to Qppositelymov- .able .heads |42. ,'.Reverting 'toFigfyL' Lthe`o.pp'o.' .ite .lymovblelhea'ds' 42 slide in contactwith astationaxgy .support 21144, which suppo1'-tsfthe "heads .against the,.,up.wardforce ofnozz'le Zwherr'wed'ge |04 .urgesgthe dial andnozzle"assembly'upwardly `aboutpivot 4. A .pilot'is'tud' |4.5"a'cts"to .center the die .relative tothenozzle. `I,t- 'is' r`large'enough tofll. the space hetweerfthe` 'die halves, but* small .enough .nottoprevent tight clos-ing :of the' mold. The various ,parts of 'the' apparatussorfarescribed .may be operated'inproper "time sequence .by- .any `desired'timing.. means. @nei-arrangement .is .schematically shown Fig .13," referring to which it will '.be seenthat am'otor"iil'drivesfa value-operating shaft |52 .Which-"operatese,series .of -valveslina suitable 'valvebox |54. "Shaft-|52 also.turnsdriction'eed wheels' vwhich urgethe .rod |.4,of .molding material upwardly 'into the "dial, .aapreuiously.described. llressurefluidlis supplied from a tank |56, the. rtnrnedffluid'being-cornpressed. by-.a pump fll.. .Tankgl is continuously 1connectedloy means 0f. pipe 58 to the cylinder' andpiston B2 previously referred 'to causing downward 4.or return ,movement of `'the 'transfer .plunger'fa .0 '.(Figf l1 ".The eylirider'M (Figiil) and'jpistoniuwhch operatethe'pawl for intermittently vrotatingir-the pipe |62 (Fig. 13).

the tape 28 intermittently upwardly. rEhe Adrum l 80 preferably has a knurled surface, and the tape 'is held in frictionalv engagement therewith by means of a smooth spring-pressed shoe |82. 'The diev is opened and closed by opposed. pistons |84 operating in cylinders It connected by'means of a pipe |88 to the valve box.

ItV will be understood that appropriate valves in valve box |54 are operated in proper time sequence by a series of camsvor equivalent mechanism 1driven by the valve operating shaft |52, previously referred to. These valves admit pressure iiuidfrom pipe |56 to any of pipes |60, |62, |64, |12 and |38, or discharge uid from any of the said pipes to the pump |51.

If'straight' rods of molding material are prepared in a separate apparatus, the rods should have square ends so that they may be fed endto end, one after another, to the dial. In such case the elementary feed Wheels shown in Fig. 13 may be supplemented by additional feed wheels spaced i;

beneath those shown, with appropriate guide tubes or idler rollers, so that successive rods may be handled. r'he rods may be supplied to the feed mechanism manually, or by -automatic means working from a magazine of rods. If the extruf .,.f

sion apparatus is combined with the present molding apparatus, a continuous rod of material may be supplied to the feed mechanism. If the fastener elements being made are very small, so that the plastic wire is quite thin, it may be coiled in'a roll of large diameter, thereby providing a continuous supply.

It is believed that the construction and Operation of my improved molding apparatus, as well 'as the advantages thereof, will be apparent from .the foregoing detailed description. Unlike l`injection molding apparatus, the presentapparatus is adapted to handle infusibly thermosetting materials. Such resins are best adapted to withstand the heat of laundering or pressing clothing.

However, the apparatus may also be used with thermoplastics, and even with metal. Although the amount of material required for each fastener element is minute, the material is accu,- rately measured and easily handled, this being made possible to a considerable extent bythe preliminary formation of the molding material into a wire or rod of uniform diameter, from which short lengths or rodlets are severed. The

molding operation, and particularly' the formation of the' hollow pocket in Vthe fastener element, is facilitated by using the transfer plunger as a core forming a part of the die itself. A slight relative movement between the nozzle and the die. is provided, this having the advantage of squeezing the dial, nozzle and die tightly together during the transfer and molding operations, yet ensuring complete separation of the nozzle from the .die after each molding:v operation.

`Itwil1 `be understood that the inward move'- ment of the'latch, pilot and wedge may bef-ob"- tained hydraulically instead ofrunder spring pressure, although there is some advantage lin using the hydraulic pressure for outward movement, as shown. This arises from the fact that the' dial is turned by a strong hydraulic push in order to overcome -friction due to particles of plastic adhering to the end plates. It is therefore important to ensure'positive release of the ypilot before the dial is turned. It is also important to vensure positive removal of the clamping wedge before the die is opened, for otherwise there would be improperv wear of the nozzle surfaces.

',The downward Vmovement ofthe vtransfe plunger may be obtained by spring pressure instead of hydraulically, although the hydraulic movement has the advantage of ensuring positive withdrawalof the plunger despite possible adherence of particles of plastic. Here too, it is important to ensure retraction of the plunger before rotation of the dial, for the plunger is very small in diameter and would be damaged by movement of the dial. Y' The upward movement of the plunger maybe timedv by an hydraulic valve alone, instead of by means of a mechanical release latch suppleinenting the hydraulic valve. but the latch is 'a safety feature which protects the plunger against .the possibility of the .dial hole not being properly registered. It is important to protect the Aplunger against premature movement in such case, because the head of the plunger acts asa core, and if marred by striking the dial, the scoop pockets would be imperfect, which in turn would lead to faulty operation of the finished slide fastener.

- Preheating of the rodlet may be by means other than steam, and the nal heating of the rodlet may be by means other than radio-frequency energy, but radio-frequency heating is preferredin the nozzle because the heating time available is extremely short, and heat should preferably be generated instantaneously throughout the mass of the rodlet. On the other hand, lconduction heating is satisfactory for preheating the rod, because considerable heating 1time' is available at that point. This preheating, however, may be electrical under thermostatic. control, instead of by means of steam, as shown. The dial is thermally insulated from the remainder of the .machine in such a manner `as to help control the temperature of the rodlet chambers inthe dial. The temperature of the chambers need be only a little higher than the desired temperature for the'rodlet, because considerable time is available during which the rodlet is in the chamber; In any case, the heating may be accomplished in less or more than the 'two stages here shown.

These and numerous otherrchanges may be made in the apparatus disclosed, and it will therefore be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in a preferred form, `changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as sought to be deiined in the following claims.

l. Apparatus for molding a series of units out of a molding material, said apparatus including a feed channel through which a rod of the material is fed, an intermittently rotatable dial having t'op and bottom surfaces sliding between closely fitting stationary surfaces-and provided with?.

9i seriesof: measuringl chambers: passing; through sai'dc-dialg. one: ofi said; chambers; being; aligned with the.` aforesaid: feed channel; to receive. and sever-:aa measured; length* ofrodzcorresponding to one molded` unit; another. of;v saidhambers.; being aligned with: ai transfer plungeri disposedzon, one side? of: theidi'al; and at nozzles. disposed on. the.- op. posite? side/off. the` dial; and aldiei-i communicating with; said.` nozzla. wherebyr the measured, quantie tiesof molding: material cut olf at the feed; chan.- n'eLare: transferred into the: die; vby the transfer plunger: I

2. Apparatus-ifm. moldingtaiseries ofunits-l out off' as thermcsetting material, saidi apparatusine cluding a feed channel through which aprodof the-.material is fed; anintermittently rotatable dial.: having:` t'op and-f bottom* surfaces sliding. bex-:-A tween':closely:fitting-stationary,'surfacesand pro.;- videdwithia seriesfofmeasuringchambers passing through. saidk dial.. one; of: said. chambersbeings aligned. With-i. the aforesaid. feed. channel to reeL ceive-c andfzseverf aa measured' length:v of:v rod. correa spondin'g to:V one;` molded: uniti. anotheri` of; said chambers being: aligned; with a; transfer. plunger. disposed on one-.side-of theidialand a-'Lnozzle dise posed. on; the; opposite side1 of the; dial,. heating means. for: said; nozzle; and? a .dier communicatingY with.: said; nozzle;v whereby..l the,l measured quanti@ ti'esioff` thermosetting molding. material. cut. oif atl theifeedzchannel arezheated.. and transferred into.k tliedie by theitransfer plunger;

3. Apparatus: forgmolding;V a series: of. units out of a molding materialasaid; apparatus including 'az-feed; channel,- throughwhichi at rod of: the materialzis' fedtmeansjto heat said feed channel, an intermittentlmrotatable dial havingtop and bottom surfaces sliding; between. closely fitting; stationarysurfacesand: provided? with. a: series.- of measuring;Y chamberspassing through; said dial,

one; of; said-.chambers being .alignedwith the aforesaid feed. channelto receive; and',v sever? a measured lengt-haofv rodi. correspondingtoone-molded unit-another of--saidchambers beingaligned with aitranferplunger disposed onone-side .ofthet-dia-l anda nozzle; disposed.- on the-opposite.- sidey ofA the dial-,. hea-ting; means for said, nozzle, and a die communicating with saidnozzle, wherebyv the measured quantities-1 of. molding material cutfoif at-thesfeed channel, aref-heated, Vand transferred into zthefdie bygthe-ztransfer plunger.

4:, Apparatus for. molding a seriesof units-.out of.- a-molding-V materia-1,. saidr apparatus including an inter-mittentlyl rotatable'- dial, providedwith; a series-f of material supplychambers-passing through said'j dial, one of said chambers' being, aligned with .af transfer. plunger. disposed: on' oneside.- of the dial and.- a.: nozzle;` disposed on. the. opposite sidefof. thei dial,A and@ a. die communicating with saidznozzle, whereby-a quantity' of molding materialin a. chamber' is transferred into.- theA die by the-transfer plunger, saiddial, plunger andnozzleallbeing.l mounted for bodily movement toward and away;- from the-die; and means-.to move-the same toward the die aty the. beginningy of.Y each transfer.- operation. thereby forcing the.- dial againstv the-.,nozzle.- and-the nozzle: against the die.- j 5".- Apparatus-:for molding; aseriesof units out ofia'.;molding I material, said apparatus including a'zfeedi channelathroughswhicha rod of the; mateisa fed; anzintemiittentlyrotatable; dial havngg'top'fandgbotom surfaces; sliding between closee lyttingtstationarysurfaces; and provided with a series; of measuring. chambers' passing.. through saidfrdi'al',.one,ofsaidchambersf being aligned with the: aforesaid-deed channel.totreceive.'-andisever a measuredV length ofA rod4 corresponding to one molded unit, another of said. chambers being aligned with atransfer `plunger. disposed on one side of thedialv and anozzle. disposed on the-opposite side.v of the. dial, and a.-olie.communicating Wit-h,- saidnozzle.;- wherebyv the. measured quantities of molding materialfcutvoff; at the -feed-channel'A are? transferred. into'the die by the transfer plunged said.` dial, plunger and nozzleall.. being mounted forbodilyV movement toward andaway fromfthedie, and means to move vthe same toward the; die at the beginning ofeach-transfer Yoperation-,thereby forcingthe dial against thenozzle andthe-nozzle againstthe-die.A

6.-. Apparatus.- for molding, aseries of units.r out off al thermosettingI materiali saidapparatus-including a feed channel. through Whicha rod of the-.material isfed, mea-ns to .heat saidfeedichan.- nel;I an.- intermittently rotatable. dial havingtop and; bottom surfaces-s iiing. between-.closely fitting,- stationary surfaces, andil provided With-.aI series-lof. measuring-v chambers iciassing-` through; said dial,-. one: ofsaidchambers.- bei-ng,l aligned. with the aforesaid lfeed channel to. 4receive rand sever. a measured length of rod corresponding to one moldedy unit; another of. said chambers being aligned: with av transfer plunger-disposed on,one sideof the dial and--anozzle disposed` on the-opposite; side of the diaflf, heatingmeans'forl said nozzle, and a-.die communicatingl with saidinozzle; whereby the-1 measured quanti-tiesiof:- thermoset.- tingfmolding material-cutv off at the-feed-.channel are heated, and-.transferred into. the-die. by-the transfer, plunged said dial, plunger and..- nozzle allbeingmountedfonbodily movement toward andr awayf from the dieffand means to move-the same tow-ard. the. dief.. at,r the beginning. of.. each transfer; operatiom thereby forcing the dial against thepnozzle.- and ,the nozzle againstthe. die:

7,-. Apparatussfor molding a Aseries of slide. fastener elements directly-on atape; said apparatus including a; feedchannel through which materialis: fed,. an intermittently#-rotatable dial provided* W-ithfv a.- series: of chambersy passing. through said dial,.one of said chambers beingsaligned'with theaforesaid feed channel to-receivea-measured charge of: material correspondingto one molded fastener element-,f another.- ofY saidchambers being alignedfwithi atransfer? plunger dispesedon oneside of' the: dialv and a nozzle disposedon the opposite side; of' thedial;l and a separabler die adaptedtofbe-clamped against. the tape with an edge of'v the tape*V passing throughv the; mold Acavity the die, whereby the-measured quantitiesof molding material .areftransfer-red into the-dielby -thef transfer. plunger; the. end of. said plunger being; suitably shaped to actas a core. for. form.-

ing-k a pocket-in.the-ffastener element.

8;.Apparatus-rfor moldingra-,series of slidefas.- ter-1erl elements directly on a,V tape, said apparatus including-.- afeed channel through.; Which .avrod of thermosettingmolding.- materiali is fed, an` inter.- mittentlyrotatable dial. having` top and bottom surfaces sliding-between closelytting stationary surfaces, and provided with a series of measuringchamberspassingthrough said.dial,.one of said chambers being aligned with the: aforesaid feed channel. to. receive. and. sever. a` measured length: of. rod corresponding to one moldedfastenen element, another; of*A said chambers.. being aligned with. a transfer.. plunger disposed. on. one side of the, dial and a nozzledisposed .ontheoppositesidaof the dia-l,r beating means. surrounding said-nozzle,... and aseparable. die, adapted to be: clamped.againstthetapefwith an Aedge ofthe tape passing through the mold cavity in the die, whereby the measured quantities of thermosetting material cut oif at the feed channel are heated, and transferred into the die by the transfer plunger, the end of said plunger being suitablyv shaped to act as a core for forming a pocket in the fastener element.

9. Apparatus formolding a series of slide fastener elements directly on a tape, said apparatus including a feed channel through which a rod of the molding material is fed, means to heat said feed channel, an intermittently rotatable dial having top and bottom surfaces sliding between closely fitting stationary surfaces, and provided with a seriesv of measuring chambers passing through said dial, one of said chambers being aligned with the aforesaid feed channel to receive and sever a measured length of rod corresponding to one molded fastener element, another of said chambers being aligned with a transfer plunger disposed on one side of the dial and a nozzle disposed on the opposite side of the dial, heating means surrounding said nozzle, and a separable die adapted to be clamped against the tape with an edge of the tape passing through the mold cavity in the die, whereby the measured quantities of molding material cut off at the feed channel are heated, and transferred into the die by the transfer plunger, the end of said plunger being suitably shaped to act as a core for forming a pocket in the fastener element, and timing means for controlling the operation of the aforesaid parts in proper time sequence.

10. Apparatus for molding a series of units out of a molding material, said apparatus including a transfer plunger, a nozzle, heating means for said nozzle, a die communicating with said nozzle, said die including separable die halves separable in a direction transverse to the direction of the nozzle, means for moving said plunger through said nozzle whereby the end of the plunger acts as a core for said die and a pilot stud fixed in location relative to the nozzle for engaging and accurately centering the die halves relative to the nozzle when the die is closed.

11. Apparatus for molding a series of units out of a molding material, said apparatus including a feed channel through which a rod of the material is fed, an intermittently rotatable dial having top and bottom surfaces and provided with a series of measuring chambers passing through said dial, one of said chambers being aligned with the aforesaid feed channel to receive and sever a measured length of rod corresponding to one molded unit, another of said 7 chambers being aligned with a transfer plunger disposed on one side of the dial and a nozzle disposed on the opposite side of the dial, a die communicating with said nozzle, said die including separable die halves separable in a direction transverse to the direction of the nozzle, and a pilot stud fixed in location relative to the nozzle for engaging and accurately centering the die halves relative to the nozzle when the die is closed.

l2. Apparatus for molding a series of units out of a molding material, said apparatus including a feed channel through which a rod of the material is fed, an intermittently rotatable dial having top and bottom surfaces and provided with a series of measuring chambers passing through said dial, one of said chambers being aligned with the aforesaid feed channel to receive and sever a measured length of rod corresponding to one molded unit. another of said chambers being aligned with a transfer plunger disposed on one side of the dial and a nozzle disposed on the opposite side of the dial, a die communicating with said nozzle, said die including separable die halves separable in a direction transverse to the direction of the nozzle, a pilot stud xed in location 'relative to the nozzle for engaging and accurately centering the die halves relative to the nozzle when the die is closed, said dial, plunger and nozzle all being mounted for bodily movement toward and away from the die, and means to move the same toward the die at the beginning of each transfer operation, thereby forcing vthe dial against the nozzle and the nozzle against the die. Y

13. In the molding of a series of slide fastener elements directly on a tape, the method which includes preliminarily forming molding material into a long slender rod, clamping die halves against a tape with an edge ofthe tape passing through the mold cavity in the die, severing from the rod a predetermined measured length corresponding in amount to one fastener element, conning and shifting said severed length to a position in front of a plunger having its end formed to provide a core, said plunger being movable in the parting plane of the die halves, transferring the resulting severed length as a discrete body 1n axial direction to the mold cavity by movement of the plunger, said movement being of sufficient extent to position the end of the plunger within the mold cavity to form an undercut part of the fastener element by means of said plunger.

14. In the molding of a series of slide fastener elements directly on a tape, the method which includes preliminarily forming thermosetting material into a long slender potentially reactive rod, clamping heated die halves against a tape with an edge of the tape passing through the mold cavity in the die, severing from the rod a predetermined measured length corresponding in amount to one fastener element confining and shifting said severed length to a position in front of a plunger having its end formed to provide a core, said plunger being movable in the parting plane of the die halves, transferring the resulting severed length as a discrete body in axial direction to the mold cavity by movement of the plunger, said movement being of sufficient extent to position the end of the plunger within the mold cavity to form an undercut part of the fastener element by means of said plunger, and heating the severed length further during its transfer to the die.

15. In the molding of a series of slide fastener elements directly on a tape, the method which includes preliminarily forming thermosetting material into a long slender potentially reactive rod of uniform diameter, clamping die halves against a tape with an edge of the tape passing through the mold cavity in the die, preheating the end of the rod, severing from the rod a predetermined measured length corresponding in amount to one fastener element confining and shifting said severedV length to a position in front of a plunger having its end formed to provide a core, said plunger being movable in the parting plane of the die halves, transferring the resulting severed length as a discrete body in axial direction to the mold cavity by movement of the plunger, said movement being of suicient extent to position the end of the plunger within the mold cavity to form an undercut part of the fastener element by means of said plunger, and heating the severed length further during its transfer to the die.

16. Apparatus for molding a series of slide fasil l . amro,"firs:5V

. 13 t c tener elements'diectly on'a tape; said'fapparatus comprising means for feedin'gfalong slenderi-rod of" molding' material, means-closely surrounding a; `predetermined measured short-:length-suicient for' one"v fastener element attlie-'f end ofi; therod. said means-being movable laterally for displacing saidmeasured'l lengthandi? thereby severingfr'tlie same lfron'iitheY roel; separablediei portionsradapt ed to Y be clamped around thelf taper with tliei edge ofthe tap'epassing through-tlie mold cavity in tl'ie` die, andme ansinoIuding'a' plunger for" transferringltheeresulting severedlenglth as af disc-rete bodyT in axialdirection to' tlf'iedi'ee 17. Apparatusfor molding'aes'eri'es of `-'slif-fiffas-- tener elements directly on a tape, said apparatus comprising means for preheating the end of a long slender rod of potentially reactive thermosetting material, means closely surrounding a predetermined measured short length sufficient for one fastener' element at-the end of the rod, said means being movable laterally for displacing said measured length and thereby severing the same from the rod, separable die portions adapted to be clamped around the tape with the edge of the tape passing through the mold cavity in the die, means including a plunger for transferring the resulting severed length as a discrete body in axial direction to the die, and heating means for heating the discrete body of material during' its transfer to the die.

18. Apparatus for molding a series of slide fastener elements directly on a tape, said apparatus comprising means for feeding a long slender rod of molding material, means closely surrounding a predetermined measured short length suflicient for one fastener element at the end of the rod,

said means being movable laterally for displacing said measured length and thereby severing the same from the rod and moving it to the plane of the tape, separable die portions adapted to be clamped around the tape with the edge of the tape passing through the mold cavity in the die, means including a plunger in the plane of the tape for transferring the resulting severed length as fa discrete body in axial direction to the die, the end i of said plunger being received by said die and being suitably shaped to act as a core for forming` an undercut part of the fastener element.

19. Apparatus for molding a series of slide fastener elements directly on a tape, said apparatus;

comprising means for preheating the end of a long slender rod of potentially reactive thermosetting material, means closely surrounding a predetermined measured short length suicientfor one fastener element at the end of the rod, said means being movable laterally for displacingsaid measured length and thereby severing the same from the rod and moving it to the plane offthe tape, separable die portions adapted to be clamped around the tape with the edge of the tape passing through the mold cavity in the die, means including a plunger in the plane of the tape for transferring the resulting severed length as a discrete body in axial direction into the die, and heating means for heating the material during its transfer to the die, the end of said'plunger being received by said die and being suitably shaped to act as a core for forming an undercut part of th fastener element.

20. Apparatus for molding a series of small units out of a molding material, said apparatus including a feed channel through which afro'd of the material is fed, a movable plate haying parallel faces sliding between closely fitting Usurfaces and provided with a measuring chamber positionof the platebeingjaligned'gwith'the'.afore# said feed channel to receive' and by*movement` tosever a measured length' of rod corresponding to one molded unit,y said.chamber'fittingg-saidrod` to .keep the severed' piece` linden-control; said chamber in another' position ofthe: platebeingg aligned with atransfer plunger disposed'ion one. side of the'plate and anczzle disposedQon tlie^opposite side ofthe'platepandajdie communicate ing. withsaidnozzl'e,whereby them'easuredquantitles of molding material cut off at the feed channel are transferred.intofthedierby the transfer plunger.

21: i Apparatus for* molding" a series of small units out of a molding materia-1E said'apparat'us including a feed channel through which a rod of the material is fed, a movable plate having parallel faces sliding between closely fitting surfaces and provided with a measuring chamber passing through said plate, said chamber in one position of the plate being aligned with the aforesaid feed channel to receive and by movement to sever a measured length of rod corresponding to one molded unit, said chamber fitting said rod to keep the severed piece under control, said chamber in another position of the plate being aligned with a transfer plunger disposed on one side of the plate and a nozzle disposed on the opposite side of the plate, and a die communicating with said nozzle, whereby the measured quantities of molding material cut olf at the feed channel are transferred into the die by the transfer plunger, said plate, plunger and nozzle all being mounted for bodily movement toward and away from the die, and means to move the same toward the die at the beginning of each transfer operation, thereby forcing the plate against the nozzle and the nozzle against the die.

22. Apparatus for molding a series of slide fastener elements directly on a tape, said apparatus including a feed channel through which a rod of molding material is fed, a movable plate hav ing parallel faces sliding between closely fitting surfaces and provided with a measuring chamber passing through said plate, said chamber in one position of the plate being aligned with the aforesaid feed channel to receive and by movee ment to sever a measured length of rod corresponding to one molded unit, said chamber fitting said rod to keep the severed piece under control, said chamber in another position of said plate being aligned with a transfer plunger disposed on one side of the plate and a nozzle disposed on the opposite side of the plate, a die communicating with said nozzle, said die including separable die halves separable in a direction transverse to the direction of the nozzle, the measured quantities of molding material being transferred to the die by the transfer plunger.

23. Apparatus for molding a series of slide fastener elements directly on a tape, said apparatus including a feed channel through which a rod of molding material is fed, a movable plate having parallel faces sliding between closely fitting surfaces and provided with a measuring chamber passing through said plate, said chamber in one position of the plate being aligned with the aforesaid feed channel to receive and by movement to sever a measured length of rod corresponding to one molded unit, said chamber fitting said rod to keep the severed piece under control, said chamber in another position of said plate being aligned with a transfer plunger disposed on one side of the plate and a nozzle disl 5 posed on the opposite side ofthe plate, a die communicating with said nozzle, said die including separable die halves separable in a direction transverse to the direction' of the nozzle and adapted to be clamped around the tape with the edge `of the tape passing through the mold cavity in the die, the measured quantities of molding material being transferred to the die by the transfer plunger, and the end of said plunger being suitably shaped to act as a core for forming an undercut part of the fastener element.

LESTER. L. JONES.

REFERENCES CITED v.16 UN1" 1-ED STATES PATENTS Number Date Name Kearney et al. Aug. 31, 1926 Schmidt Sept.v 19, 1933 Richards Mar. 13, 1934 Haessler Aug. 28, 1934 Haessler July 27, 1937 l Morin et al. ----z Dec. 14, 1937. Jeffery Mar. 22, 1938 Greenholtz Sept-27, 1 938 Misfeldt Aug. 22, 1944 Sinclair vet al Mar. 12, 1946 MacMillin et al Apr. 9, 1946 Richardson May 3, 1949 

